Cheapie kits claim to turn your toilet into a water-saving dual-flush commode. How do they fare?

Dual-flush toilets — those two-button commodes that let you choose a flush volume suitable for liquids or solids — are a great way to save water. They’ll save up to 20 gallons a day by some estimates compared with traditional toilets. But they sell for upwards of $300.

We’re curious about the $20 to $30 retrofit DIY option available at home improvement stores or online: the dual-flush converter, which can be installed on most household toilets.

The gizmo replaces your side lever with a two-button fixture. And the converter kits include the parts you need to turn your ordinary commode into a high-efficiency toilet. Installation takes around 20 minutes.

Would you install a dual-flush converter? If you’ve installed one, how’s it doing its job?

is an Atlanta-based writer and editor. She believes no effort is too small when it comes to green living, which she tries to keep in mind while renovating her recently purchased first home. Follow Courtney on Google+.